Lock.



NlTjh Mm ATENT ALAN R. FERGUSSON, OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

. LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 691,125, dated January 14, 1902. Application filed May 16, 1901. $eria1 No. 60,481. (No model) To 60% whom it may concern-.-

Be it known that I, ALAN R. FERGUSSON, a citizen of the United States, residing in New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to looks, the object of the invention being to provide an improved lock which, while it may be used for various purposes, is particularly adapted for use with street mail-boxes.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved lock embodying improved means for preventing the movement of the bolt into its locking position until the shutting of a closure or the withdrawal of the key.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lock so organized that on the closing of the door the key willbe thrown out automatically.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lock embodying means for preventing movement of the bolt or the withdrawal of the key until the part or door to which the lock is attached is closed, whereupon the key will be thrown out automatically.

In mail-box looks as ordinarily constructed the lock mechanism which looks the door or closure shut is so organized that after the carrier inserts the key it is possible to Withdraw the key without the relocking of the box. Consequently the carrier forgets at times to close and lock the door or closure, and consequently leaves the interior of the box exposed, so that should mail be deposited opportunity is given for the theft thereof. Moreover, in that form of lock in which the key rotates or turns so that it has to be returned to that position in which it was inserted before it can be withdrawn the carrier sometimes in withdrawing the key throws the bolt or latch in such a way as to prevent the complete closing of the door, although this has apparently taken place, the opening being apparently closed, but the door unlocked. All of these disadvantages, which are serious ones and great drawbacks to looks as ordinarily used on mail-boxes, are overcome by the present improvement, in which it is impossible for the carrier to remove the key until the door is actually looked, whether this be a lock requiring a turn, push, or other key, whereupon in the form of lock shown in order to save him time the key will be automatically thrown from the lock, this indicating to the carrier without the necessity of trying the door that the door is actually looked. This feature, however, may be dis pensed with in some forms of locksas, for instance, when a rotatable-key lock is used. In practice the carrier usually has his key connected to his coat by means of a chain. Consequently when this improved lock is used should he forget to shut the door, or even should he shut it partially without thoroughly closing it and attempt to leave, it will be impossible for him to do so, since the door not being locked the withdrawal of the key is not possible. When the door is properly closed and locked, however, the key will be thrown from the lock automatically, and so act as an indicator to show that the door is locked. Aside from these advantages the present organization of lock mechanism enables the carrier to manipulate the look by merely inserting the key without the necessity of turning it and without the necessity of subsequently Withdrawing the key, since on the closing of the door the key will be automatically released and thrown from the lock.

Various organizations of lock mechanisms may be used, and various means for accomplishing the purpose set forth may be provided, and therefore itwill be understood that I have illustrated in the drawings but one form of my present improvement.

The present improvement comprises in a general Way lock mechanism operative on the insertion or insertion and rotation of a key and improved means for preventing movement of the bolt into its locking position or the withdrawal of such keywhether this be a rotatable one or simply a push-key, as shown herein-until the closure or other part is in its closed position, and which mechanism in the form shown is effective to automatically throw out the key, and so indicate that the door or other part is closed and locked.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a portion of a mail-box and its door or closure, illustrating this improved lock applied thereto,

ing.

the lock mechanism being shown in side ele vation. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lock mechanism, the door or closure of the mail-box being shown open and the'key inserted. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of this improved lock mechanism with parts thereof shown in elevation. Fig. 4 is a view of one form of means for locking the key against detachment until the closure is shut and locked. Figs. 5 and 6 are details of the bolt-controlling meahs, and Fig. 7 illustrates a key which. may be used.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts in the different figures of the drawings.

In the present instance this improved lock is shown provided with a pair of bolts or locking devices. It is to be understood, however, that the means for locking the key against detachment may be used with one or more bolts, if preferred, and with various constructions of lock mechanisms; but a simple organization applicable to mail-boxes and to mailboxes as ordinarily constructed is shown in the drawings, in which the letter-box A is usually provided with a swinging door or closure B, having a keyhole 2, through which the key is inserted. Attached to the swinging closure is the lock-casing 3,which is shown comprising a pair of members 4 and 5, secured together by means of suitable screws 6. Located within this lock-casing is a rotary device, designated for the present purposes as a tumbler, which tumbler 7 in the present instance is made up of a series of disks 8, each having one or more projections 9. These disks are interchangeable, whereby various combinations may be made, and so require various constructions of keys. Any desired number of these disks may be used, the projections of which may be of various widths and located at various points on the disks, requiring corresponding formations in the keysuch, for instance, as recesses or slots of varying depths and widths. 'lhese disks are shown mounted on a cylindrical member 9, provided with a longitudinal slot 10 for the reception of interiorly-located projections 12 of the disks, whereby such disks are properly located relatively to each other. The tumbler in the present instance is shown provided with a pair of sleeves l3 and 14, illustrated in the drawings as secured by pins to the cylindrical member 9, although this part of the tumbler may be an integral structure, if found desirable. These sleeves turn in suitable bearings or journal's 15, formed by suitable tubular portions 16 of the lock-cas- For maintaining the tumbler in its normal position and for returning it to such position after it is shifted by the key a suitable spring is provided, shown in the present instance as a coiled spring 17, located in an annular recess 18 of that part of the casing which encircles one of the tubular members of the tumbler, it being connected to such tumbler and casing.

The locking means in the present instance is shown embodying a pair of bolts 19,1ongitudinally shiftable, and for this purpose the tumbler is provided on its interior with quickacting threads 20, cooperating with a similar threaded portion 21 on the inner end of each bolt, whereby on the turning of the tumbler the bolts will be shifted inwardly or outwardly, as the case may be. The outer ends of the bolt project through openings 22in the side walls of the closure or door, so as to engage the proper bolt receiving recesses or other part located on the interior of the box. In the present instance the bolts are shown suitably guided by guideways 23, secured to the closure or cover, and in which projections 24, carried by the bolts, work.

From the foregoing it will be seen that upon the insertion of the proper key the tumbler will be rotated thereby to withdraw the bolts and permit the closure or cover to open auto matically if properly hinged, and it swings downwardly, as is usual in mail-boxes as now constructed, or is spring-actuated if it opens in a horizontal plane, the tumbler-spring acting to throw the key outwardly on the release of such key by the user, this movement of the to mbler throwing the bolts outwardly into their locking position.

To prevent the lock from being picked, which is one of the features of the present lock mechanism, suitable means is provided for interfering with the rotation of the tumbler. This means preferably comprises a pair of pivoted spring controlled members 25, adapted to engage a pair of projections of a pair of disks, and so act in the nature of pawls to prevent the rotation of such tumbler until the shifting of said locking devices by the end of the key. It is to be understood that one of these devices only may be provided or a series thereof, as found desirable, they being located in the present instance in the rear of the tumbler, the play thereof being provided for by an opening 26 in the lock-casing. In their normal position they engage the smooth surface of the tumbler, and so permit the same to be partially rotated and sufliciently to bring the end of the key into position to engage such locking devices and shift them out of position to cooperate with the tumbler, and so permit the continued rotation of such tumbler. When these devices are located at the ends of the tumbler, the picking of such tumblerisrenderedimpossible. At thistime if it were desired to reclose the door it would be necessary to reinsert the key, and so shift the tumbler so as to withdraw the bolts from their outward position and permit the door to shut. In order to obviate this time-consuming step and the necessity of requiring the carrier to do this, means for preventing the withdrawal of the key after it is once inserted is provided. This means is effective to lock the key in the lockcwhile the bolts are in their unlocking position, and so prevent such bolts from being shifted into their locking position.

IIO

The organization of this locking means is such that the door may be shut and locked by the mere pushing to thereof. It will be understood, of course, that this means may be applied to various parts of the lock mechanism I but for the present purposes and since it is especially adapted for mail-boxes it is shown cooperating with one of the bolts and comprises in the form illustrated a retaining or locking device comprehending a shiftable member in the nature of a stop 30, pivotally secured to a wall of the closure, and in the present instance is spring'actuated, a Hat spring 31 being shown with one end carried thereby and the other end engaging the cover or closure for maintaining the locking device in its normal locking or operative position. This device is so located in position that on the shutting of the closure its outer end 32 will be in position to strike against a fixed portionsuch, for instance, as a part of the boxand so shift the same into its nonlocking position. The bolt is provided with a slot or notch 33, into which the stop is thrown by means of its spring, consequently maintaining the bolt in its inoperative and unlocking position. The bolt may be provided With a suitable pin 35 to limit its outward movement.

When the letter-carrier reaches the box, he merely inserts the key, thereby rotating; the tumbler and shifting the bolts out of their operative or looking position, whereupon the locking device is by means of its spring thrown into position to lock the bolts, the door at this time falling downward by gravity, if properly hinged at its lower edge,or thrown open by its spring should it be a horizontallyswinging door, and since the bolts are locked in their inoperative positions the tumbler is consequently maintained in its rotated position and by means of the projections the key held against withdrawal. After the mail has been removed from the box the carrier merely shoves the door to, whereupon the end of the locking device 30 engages the box or other part provided for this purpose,throwing it into its inoperative position, and so releasing the bolts, whereupon the spring of the tumbler throws the bolts into their locking position, thus locking the door and simultaneously releasing the key and in the present organization throwing such key outwardly.

From the foregoing it will be seen that all the carrier has to do is to shove the key into the lock, whereupon the bolts are withdrawn, and as the door opens automatically the car rier is thus enabled to use both hands in removing and securing the mail in his mailpouch, after which by merely shoving the door to it is locked and the key automatically thrown out, thus enabling him to leave Without further manipulation of the key. Of course when this locking means is applied to other forms of locks the key may be with drawn by the carrier after the door is locked and will not be automatically thrown out.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present organization requires the manipulation of the key but once and that upon its insertion into the box; but when once inserted it is impossible for the carrier to leave the box until he has properly closed the door and the same has been positively locked in its closed position.

This improved lock acts as a check upon the carrier to prevent negligence or carelessness or forgetfulness and insures him against trouble and enables him to be positively certain that when he left the box the closure must have been closed and locked or otherwise he could not have detached the key, the key thus acting as an indicator toindicate that the locking mechanism has properly worked.

It will be obvious that Without change the present lockin g device can be applied to any form of lock having a bolt or latch.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination with a closure, of lock mechanism therefor embodying a bolt and a tumbler; means adapted to engage a part of said lock mechanism and maintain the boltin its unlocking position until said means is tripped on the shutting of the closure; and means for controlling the movement of said tumbler until said means is directly engaged and shifted by a key.

2. The combination with aclosure, of lock mechanism therefor embodying a bolt and a tumbler; means adapted to engage said bolt and hold it in its unlocking position until said means is tripped on the shutting of the clo sure; and means for controlling the movement of said tumbler until said means is directly engaged and shifted by a key.

3. The combination with a closure, of lock mechanism therefor embodying a bolt and a rotary tumbler having one or more peripheral key-engaging projections; and means effective to engage a part of said lock mechanism and hold the bolt in its unlocking position until the shutting of the closure.

4. The combination with a closure, of lock mechanism therefor embodying a rotary tumbler having one or more peripheral key-engaging projections; and means for preventing the return of said tumbler to its normal position until the shutting of the closure.

5. The combination with a closure, of lock mechanism therefor embodying a rotary tumbler comprising a series of interchangeable disks having key-engaging projections; and means for preventing the return of said tumbler to its normal position until the shutting of the closure.

6. The combination with a closure, of lock mechanism thereforembodying a rotary tumbler comprising a series of interchangeable disks having key-engaging projections, and a bolt; and means for maintaining said bolt in its unlocking position until the shutting of the closure.

7. The combination with a closure, of lock mechanism embodying a rotatable tumbler IIO having a plurality of projections, and a bolt; means effective to maintain the bolt in its unlocking position until the shutting of the closure; and means for controlling the movement of said tumbler until said means is directly engaged and shifted by a key.

8. The combination with a closure, of lock mechanism therefor embodying a bolt, and rotary. means connected with and effective on the rotation thereof to withdraw the bolt; and means adapted to engage a part of said lock mechanism and maintain said boltin its withdrawn position until the shutting of the closure, whereupon the bolt will be automatically thrown into its locking position.

9. The combination with a closure, of lock mechanism therefor embodying asliding bolt, and rotary means connected with and effective on the rotation thereof to Withdraw the bolt; and means adapted to engage said bolt and maintain it in its withdrawn position until the shutting of the closure, whereupon the bolt will be automatically thrown into its locking position.

10. The combination with a closure, of lock mechanism therefor adapted to be actuated by a key and embodying means for automatically throwing the key out of the lock on the shutting of the closure.

11. The combination with a closure, of lock mechanism therefor embodying aspring-controlled tumbler adapted to be actuated by a key and effective to throw the key out of the lock on the shutting of the closure.

12. The combination with aclosure, of lock mechanism therefor embodying a spring-controlled rotary device adapted to be actuated by a key and effective to throw the key out of the lock on the shutting of the closure.

13. The combination with a closure, of lock mechanism therefor adapted to be actuated by a key; means for throwing the key out of the lock on the shutting of the closure; and means for preventing the key from being withdrawn from the lock until the shutting of said closure.

14. The combination with aclosure, of lock mechanism therefor adapted to be actuated by a key; means for throwing the key out of the lock on the shutting of the closure; and means for preventing the key from being withdrawn from the lock until the shutting of said closure, each of said means comprising a spring-controlled device.

15. The combination with a closure, of lock mechanism therefor comprising a rotary tumbler having a plurality of projections and adapted to be operated bya key;aspring for returning said tumbler to its normal position and thereby throw said key out of the lock on the shutting of the closure; a bolt controlled by said tumbler; and means cooperating with said bolt to prevent the unlocking of said bolt until the shutting of the closure.

16. The combination with a closure, of lock mechanism therefor comprisingarotarytumbler having a plurality of projections and adapted to be operated by a key; a spring for returning said tumbler to its normal position and thereby throw said key out of the lock on the shutting of the closure; a bolt controlled by said tumbler; and a spring-controlled mem: ber engaging said bolt for preventing the Withdrawal of the key until the shutting of the closure.

17. In a mail-box having a closure, the combination of lock mechanism comprising a rotary tumbler having a plurality of projections and adapted to be actuated by a key; a bolt controlled by said tumbler; and means adapted to engage said bolt to prevent the return of said tumbler to its normal position until the shutting of the closure, said bolt having a threaded connection with said tumbler.

18. In a mail-box havinga closure, the combination of lock mechanism therefor comprising a rotary tumbler having a plurality of projections and adapted to be actuated by a key; a spring for returning said tumbler to its normal position thereby to throw the key out of the look; a bolt having a threaded connection with said tumbler whereby it is shiftable thereby on the rotation thereof; a device carried by said closure and effective to engage said bolt to hold it in its unlocking position and thereby prevent the withdrawal of the key, said device being in position to be engaged bya part of the boX on the shutting of the closure, thereby to automatically release the bolt and permit the key to be thrown out of the lock.

19. In a mail-box having a closure, the combination of lock mechanism therefor comprising a rotary tumbler having a plurality of projections and adapted to be actuated by a key; a spring for returning said tumbler to its normal position, thereby to throw the key out of the lock; a bolt having a threaded connection with said tumbler whereby it is shiftable thereby on the rotation thereof; means for interfering with the rotation of said tumbler until released by the key; a spring-actuated device carried by said closure and effective to engage said bolt to hold itin its unlocking position and thereby prevent the withdrawal of the key, said device being in position to be engaged by a part of the box on the shutting of the closure thereby to automatically release the bolt and permit the key to be thrown out of the lock.

20. In a mail-box havingaclosure, the combination of lock mechanism comprising a rotary tumbler having a plurality of interchangeable projections and adapted to be actuated by a key; a pair of bolts controlled by said tumbler; and means in engagement with one of said bolts for maintaining the bolts in their unlocking position until the shutting of the closure.

21. In a mail-box having a closure, the combination of lock mechanism comprising a rotary tumbler having a plurality of interchangeable projections and adapted to be actuated by a key; a spring for returning said tumbler to its normal position thereby to throw the key out of the look; a pair of bolts controlled by said tumbler, said bolts having threaded connection with said tumbler Whereby they are shifted on the rotation thereof; means carried by the closure for locking the bolts in their unlocking position and located in position to be operated by a part of the box on the shutting of the closure thereby to permit the Withdrawal of the key.

22. A look comprising a pair of bolts; and a key-operated tumbler for controlling it and having threaded connection with each of said bolts.

23. A look comprising a rotary tumbler formed of a plurality of interchangeable sections having projections; a pair of bolts shiftable by said tumbler, each of said bolts having threaded connection therewith; a spring for returning the tumbler to its normal position; and means for interfering with the rotation of the tumbler until released by the key.

24. The combination with a closure, of lock mechanism therefor embodying a tumbler having one or more key-engaging projections and adapted to be shifted by a key; means for controlling the movement of said tumbler until said means is engaged and shifted by a key; and means for preventing the with drawal of such key from the lock until the closure is shut.

25. The combination with a closure, of lock mechanism therefor embodying a rotary tumblerhavinga plurality of projections; means for preventing the return of said rotary tumbler to its normal position until the shutting of the closure; and means for interfering with the rotation of the rotary member until engaged and shifted by the key.

26. The combination with a closure, of lock mechanism therefor embodying a rotary tumbler having a plurality of projections; means for preventing the return of said rotary tumbler to its normal position until the shutting of the closure; and means for interfering with the rotation of the rotary tumbler until released by the key, said means comprising a pair of spring-controlled members.

27. The combination with a closure, and with a part supporting the same, of look mechanism adapted to be operated by a key and embodying atnmbler and a bolt; means for preventing the withdrawal of the key until the shutting of the closure and comprising a device carried by one of said parts and effective to engage a part of said lock mechanism on the unlocking of said bolt and thrown into operation by its engagement with the other of said parts on the shutting of the closure; and means for interfering with the movement of said tumbler until engaged and shifted by the key.

28. The combination with a closure, of lock mechanism therefor embodying a spring-controlled rotary device adapted to be actuated by a key and effective to throw the key out of the lock on the shutting of the closure; and means for interfering with the rotation. of said device until released by the proper key.

29. The combination with a closure, of lock mechanism therefor adapted to be actuated by a key and embodying a tumbler; means for throwing the key out of the lock on the shutting of the closure; means for preventing the key from being withdrawn from the lock until the shutting of said closure; and means for preventing the movement of said tumbler except by the proper key and thereby the picking of thelock.

30. A look comprising a pair of bolts; a keyactuated tumbler having thread ed connection with each of said bolts; and means for controlling the movement of said tumbler.

31. Alock comprisingarotarytumblerhaving one or more peripheral key-engaging projections; a pair of bolts shiftable by said tum bler; and means for controlling the rotation of said tumbler until said means is engaged and shifted by a key.

The combination with a closure, of lock mechanism therefor embodying a bolt, a keyactuated tumbler connected with and effect ive on the shifting thereof to withdraw the bolt, and means adapted to engage a partof said lock mechanism and maintain it in its withdrawn position until the shutting of the closure, whereupon the bolt will be automatically thrown into its locking position.

ALAN R. FERGUSSON.

Witnesses:

FRED. J. DOLE, CHAs. E. Voss. 

